Interesting Facts about Papilios

Papillios are rare butterflies found only in Madagascar, which is a place in Africa. Papillios are black with yellow bands and white spots. Their bottom wing has a short tail. “Papillio” is Latin for butterfly, a flying insect. All butterflies hatch as caterpillars and live on the plant their mom left them. They make cocoons to develop into butterflies. They sleep for a while and then they wake up and break out of their cocoons. They then go out and live off flower nectar and fruit.

Did you know?

There are 17,500 types of butterflies.

Almost all butterflies, snails, beetles, and spiders on Madagascar can only be found there.

Butterflies are found everywhere, but Antarctica.

Madagascar has lost 90% of its original forests. Forests are thought to be the Papilio’s home of choice. People on Madagascar use to cut down forests and burn them to make room for houses.

A lot of butterflies have ways to hide from predators. They also taste bad to the animals that would eat them. Most butterfly patterns hide the insects in flowers and leaves.

Lesson Plan Note: Papilos are the perfect excuse to study the island of Madagascar and its unique ecology.